Southern Lands consist of two archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen, and two volcanic islands, Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying native fauna. Antarctic portion consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by French in 1840.

Geography

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Location:

southeast of Africa, islands in southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, and Iles Kerguelen in southern Indian Ocean, along with French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; US does not recognize French claim to "Adelie Land"

none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by US Government, but there are 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by US

Legal system:

laws of France, where applicable, apply

Diplomatic representation in US:

none (overseas territory of France)

Diplomatic representation from US:

none (overseas territory of France)

Flag description:

flag of France is used

Economy

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Economy - overview:

Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets. fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion.